An electrolyzer containing: an anode, a cathode that is opposed to the anode, a membrane that is arranged between the anode and the cathode; a first elastic body that presses the cathode in a direction toward the anode, a first electrode for electrolysis that is arranged between the membrane and the cathode; and a second elastic body that is arranged between the first electrode for electrolysis and the cathode and presses the first electrode for electrolysis in the direction toward the anode, wherein the first electrode for electrolysis serves as a cathode electrode, and the first electrode for electrolysis, the second elastic body, the cathode, and the first elastic body are electrically connected.

This invention relates to system for the production of ammonia synthesis gas, comprising: one or more electrically driven air separation unit(s) configured to separate nitrogen from air; and one or more solid oxide electrolysis cell(s) configured to produce hydrogen by solid oxide electrolysis of steam in thermoneutral or endothermal mode. By configuring the electrically driven air separation unit(s) and the solid oxide electrolysis cell(s) so that heat emanating from the one or more electrically driven air separation unit(s) is transferred to the one or more solid oxide electrolysis cell(s), nitrogen production may be integrated while enabling high current density, the use of large SOEC stacks and improved reactant conversion. In addition, ammonia production plants comprising the above system as well as related methods are described.

This invention relates to system for the production of ammonia synthesis gas, comprising: one or more electrically driven air separation unit(s) configured to separate nitrogen from air; and one or more solid oxide electrolysis cell(s) configured to produce hydrogen by solid oxide electrolysis of steam in thermoneutral or endothermal mode. By configuring the electrically driven air separation unit(s) and the solid oxide electrolysis cell(s) so that heat emanating from the one or more electrically driven air separation unit(s) is transferred to the one or more solid oxide electrolysis cell(s), nitrogen production may be integrated while enabling high current density, the use of large SOEC stacks and improved reactant conversion. In addition, ammonia production plants comprising the above system as well as related methods are described.

A method of protecting a nonoperational CO.sub.2 electrolysis stack from corrosion, includes: at least partly emptying an electrolyte from parts of a first electrolysis cell and/or of a first feed and/or of a first drain and/or of an overall feed which is connected to the first feed and the second feed and is designed to provide an inlet for the first feed and the second feed and/or of an overall drain which is connected to the first drain and the second drain and is designed to provide an outlet for the first drain and the second drain. The electrolyte which is removed by the at least partial emptying is exchanged for an inert gas or a mixture including an inert gas and liquid droplets present therein, wherein the inert gas is CO.sub.2.

A method of protecting a nonoperational CO.sub.2 electrolysis stack from corrosion, includes: at least partly emptying an electrolyte from parts of a first electrolysis cell and/or of a first feed and/or of a first drain and/or of an overall feed which is connected to the first feed and the second feed and is designed to provide an inlet for the first feed and the second feed and/or of an overall drain which is connected to the first drain and the second drain and is designed to provide an outlet for the first drain and the second drain. The electrolyte which is removed by the at least partial emptying is exchanged for an inert gas or a mixture including an inert gas and liquid droplets present therein, wherein the inert gas is CO.sub.2.

To make it possible to detect whether leakage is external leakage or cross leakage in a water electrolyzer, a valve installed in an oxygen-side path, and a valve installed in a hydrogen-side path are closed; a water electrolysis reaction at a water electrolytic cell is progressed, and leakage in the oxygen-side path and leakage in the hydrogen-side path are determined based on the change in an internal pressure; and a differential pressure is made between the oxygen-side path and the hydrogen-side path, and leakage from a solid polymer electrolyte membrane is determined based on the change in the differential pressure.

To make it possible to detect a short circuit in a water electrolyzer even while the water electrolyzer is operating, a voltage sensor is disposed for each of plural water electrolytic cells, the voltage of each of the water electrolytic cells is measured with the voltage sensor while the water electrolyzer is operating, and it is determined that there is a short circuit if it is detected that the voltage is lower than a reference voltage.

Described herein are systems and methods for the management and control of electrolyte within confined electrochemical cells or groups (e.g. stacks) of connected electrochemical cells, for example, in an electrolyzer. Various embodiments of systems and methods provide for the elimination of parasitic conductive paths between cells, and/or precise passive control of fluid pressures within cells. In some embodiments, a fixed volume of electrolyte is substantially retained within each cell while efficiently collecting and removing produced gases or other products from the cell.

Described herein are systems and methods for the management and control of electrolyte within confined electrochemical cells or groups (e.g. stacks) of connected electrochemical cells, for example, in an electrolyzer. Various embodiments of systems and methods provide for the elimination of parasitic conductive paths between cells, and/or precise passive control of fluid pressures within cells. In some embodiments, a fixed volume of electrolyte is substantially retained within each cell while efficiently collecting and removing produced gases or other products from the cell.

A system and method for treating flue gas of a boiler based on solar energy are provided, wherein a heat pump is connected with a heat collector via first and second valves, a carbon dioxide electrolysis chamber is connected with a flue gas pretreatment chamber and a power distribution control module for electrolyzing and reducing carbon dioxide, a gas phase separation chamber is connected with a gas phase outlet to separate a mixture, and discharge the separated gas phase products; a Fischer-Tropsch reaction chamber is connected with the gas phase separation chamber to pass the separated carbon monoxide and hydrogen into a flowing reaction cell, a liquid phase product separation chamber is connected with a liquid phase outlet to separate the liquid phase hydrocarbon fuel products, and separate and supplement electrolyte; an electrolyte cooling circulation chamber is connected with the liquid phase product separation chamber.